Public Health Great Donald A. Henderson and Nursing Research Leader Patricia Grady to Speak at Commencement

Public health pioneer Donald A. Henderson, MD, MPH, who directed the successful global campaign to eradicate smallpox, and Patricia Grady, PhD, RN, director of the National Institute of Nursing Research, will be the speakers at commencement ceremonies of SUNY Downstate Medical Center on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan.

Dr. Henderson will speak at the ceremony for the College of Medicine, School of Graduate Studies, and Graduate Public Health Program at 4:00 pm and Dr. Grady will speak at the ceremony for the College of Nursing and College of Health Related Professions at 12:00 noon.

Dr. Grady will be awarded an honorary doctor of science degree for her contributions to research and nursing education. Lily S. Hsia, retired professor and chair of midwifery at the College of Health Related Professions, will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree in recognition of achievements in midwifery education and her service to SUNY Downstate.

At the later ceremony, honorary doctor of science degrees will be awarded to Joseph E. Murray, MD, who conducted the world’s first successful kidney transplant in 1954 and won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1990, and to Marc Goldstein, MD, a 1972 graduate of Downstate’s College of Medicine who is a pioneer in male reproductive surgery at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Dr. Henderson, who already holds an honorary degree from the State University of New York and many other schools, will receive SUNY Downstate Medical Center's Ailanthus Award.